Elite visa and star visa service in CM

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Hello all, Im looking into an elite visa here in CM. I'm told star visa service handles elite visas for the north of thailand. (They have an office in the biz. park behind Big C extra off the super highway).

So my question: anyone have experience with the elite visa and/or star visa service here in cm? If so, and your willing to share your experience, feel free to pm me. Thanks!

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In any other circumstance I’d recommend an agent, but not this time. You don’t need a middle man for the Elite. Elite as is has poor service and isn’t clear on information they give you, the last thing you want to do is add another person into the mix.

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Thanks for the input! Yes. I agree, why use an agent? Im just gathering info now, but it seems if you want to talk to "someone" about the elite visa program and you are in Chiang Mai, or anywhere in the north, you go through star visa service.

Who told me? The thailandelite.com website told me:

We, Star Visa Service are appointed as an Authorized General Sales and Services Agent of Thailand Elite in the northern part of Thailand and our offices are located in Chiang Mai. We processed every step of applying for Elite Visa including other visa services.

This is from the elite website, not the visa service. Does it seem wierd to me? Yes. Thats why im asking the CM expat community if anybody has info. Also doing other research of course. The elite visa is an expensive long term investment . . . .

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"In any other circumstance I’d recommend an agent, but not this time. You don’t need a middle man for the Elite. Elite as is has poor service and isn’t clear on information they give you, the last thing you want to do is add another person into the mix.﻿"

Misinformed, ignorant comment.

From my past experience dealing with them since 2005, Thailand Elite has fantastic customer service. If they don't have the answer, they will promptly phone me back or email me.

Like most of the comments posted, misinformed, lack of personal knowledge or experience, 'someone in a bar once told me'.

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@bottledwater Yes, rather ridiculously, thailandelite allow their authorised agents to advertise on the official website. I can see how you got diverted. Instead of clicking on "Agents" (that's an advertisement albeit authorised), click on "Contact Us" on the next ribbon down.

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If the OP is over 50, he can employ an agent for about 13,000 baht a year to look after the extensions plus 90 day reports. I'm assuming if he can afford an Elite Visa, he can satisfy the funding requirements for retirement extensions.

It does seem to me like an unnecessary waste of money, IF he is over 50.

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Ah i see, star visa is an advert. Thank you briggsy. As for an unnecessary waste of money, sure there are other cheaper ways. And relatively easy if over 50. But a 20 year multi entry elite visa for 1,000,000 costs a bit over 4000 baht a month, 50k baht a year. (Pay up front of course) The good part: usually when you have a valid visa, your good for that time period. Immigration changes the rules on NEW visas and extentions. Ive never seen or heard of immigration changing the rules on a valid visa before the exp. date of that visa. Bad part: kiss 1,000,000 baht goodbye.

A retirement visa: now its show 60-something k a month or 800k in the bank. For how long? They could raise those numbers anytime they want.

20 years ago id never belive getting a visa would such a pain in the backside. It would be a nice feeling to know your visa situation for the next 20 years wouldnt it? Of course, TIT. No sure things. Cheers all!

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Ah i see, star visa is an advert. Thank you briggsy. As for an unnecessary waste of money, sure there are other cheaper ways. And relatively easy if over 50. But a 20 year multi entry elite visa for 1,000,000 costs a bit over 4000 baht a month, 50k baht a year. (Pay up front of course) The good part: usually when you have a valid visa, your good for that time period. Immigration changes the rules on NEW visas and extentions. Ive never seen or heard of immigration changing the rules on a valid visa before the exp. date of that visa. Bad part: kiss 1,000,000 baht goodbye.

A retirement visa: now its show 60-something k a month or 800k in the bank. For how long? They could raise those numbers anytime they want.

20 years ago id never belive getting a visa would such a pain in the backside. It would be a nice feeling to know your visa situation for the next 20 years wouldnt it? Of course, TIT. No sure things. Cheers all!

That’s interesting and enticing. I’m interested too.

Can I clarify something with you ...one point...if I pay the Million Baht...is it guaranteed that I get a 20 years visa stamp in my passport?